1958-03-08 — Page 5

SELF

EXPRESSION

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1959.

Now hear what he says."

Rags to Riches

2

CHARLIE'

Pere

CHURCHMEN, BANKERS, POLITICIANS, JOURNALISTS.

Who will

Ju

be next

at the Queen's

TUST 16 months before Lord Altrincham had his face slapped in Kingsway and Lord Londonderry incurred his grandmother's displeasure, a aflent revolution took place in the relations between Palace and people. It went fargely unobserved,

On May 11, 1050, dail select group assembled in an ante-chamber at Buckingham Palace. They had COLO 14 take lunch with their Sovereign at her invitation. Who wero these lucky folk?

by

IVAN YATES

table?

The

choice from

the acting profession has so far been re- stricted to notremes: Duane Edith' Evans, Mias Fiora Robson,

whole, to to lunch. (Wives go Misa Joyce Grenfell, (The Inst-

to dinner but not to lunch,)

named went to dinner with her They made a mixed bunchi.

husband, Mr Reginald Grenfell). An endnut occlesiastic, ibe As with civil servants, so Sir Arthur Bils and Dame Myra Bishop of London; a prominent with the heads of the nailon- Hess have represented muslo at civil servant, St Frank Lee; alized industries. Gas, electri- Her Majesty's table. But no Lord Aldenham, a hereditary city, coal, transport, BOAC, pointer has yet been to the Banker and merchant: Major even London Transport; the Palace—though the President General Spry, a leading Boy beads of all the great State of the Royal Academy, who le a Scout:

the Beards have been to the Palace sculptor,

to Junch went

Last twis' members of Royal Household; and Slr for lunch,

June. William Haley, editor of The

Journalism has had its share, By comparison, the Foreign And the Times.

provincial Press has Service has not been strongly enjoyed. equal representation represented. Only Sir David with the national newspapers. Kelly, and Sir Charles Peake, Besides Sir William Haley, retired Ambassadors, have been editors invited are Mr David included.

Genial gathering

This genial Lathering Gf notables, was in at the birth of a frest

altempt to widen the Contacty between the Royal Family and their subjects, For this was the first of a series of private lunch and dinner par ties to be held at Buckingham Palace.

as private

Astor, of the Observer, Sir Lin- MP have their place at these ton Andrews, of the Yorkabire parties; but it is a restricted Post, Mr. A. G. Jeans, of the one. Socialists have had a full fiverpool Daily Poat and Echo, rution of Invitations. The and Sir Geoffrey Crowther, - Leader has been wilk Mrs editor of the Economis Gaitsitel! (which shows there is Young men have not been left no bar on divorcces). And the out. Those chosen, however, Deputy Lender, Mr James tend to be men of action rather

And tho

Treasurer. Ihan of anger. Mr Christopher At least they are described Griffiths,

Mr Bevan (he went to lunch: Brasher, Group Captain John tho parties. But rames of the guests are made so there was no problem over a Cunningham, Group Captain tle). And the

Chilet Leonard Cheshire, Mr Donald public with conspicuous and

Whip.

Campbell; these Are tha commendable

So promptness;

Many Wire Men have been in favoured breed. And the Rev. far 16 lunches and five dinners

the Hets, men of good will, David Sheppart. Though, come have been given.

members of tho now Progres- to think of it, he may have been That first catholle collection sivo Establishment. The men picked as much for his cloth as was in many ways typical of who are always ready to chair for his flannels,

successors. Bancers have a Board, eager to give their For the Church has been woll confinued to secure

to a Committee, samo represented. Ever since that furt

Commission censton good

when the Bishop of

its

bluck

4

venerous name share of

invilations, of for the 10 members of the Court Men ilke Sir John Wolteride, London lont his presence, well- of the Bank of England four Sir Oliver Franks, Sir Robert placed cleries have lunched have already been to The Fraser and Sir Kenneth Cluxk, always lunchod at the Palace. Palace. Mr W. J. Keswick was They were

at the Even Dissent has been thers in all early Palace.

the shape of Dr Lealle Weather- ene of the first to receive a

of head But na Homan Catholic summons to

Their particular favour lunch

high-minded gobd taste informa prelate po far.

If bankers have been hand- the choice of the representativas Now with the Court back in Romely done by, hardly less so of the arts. In literature the London, this fascinating series trave civil servants. The per- lot has fallen on men of cult of parties has started up again. manent heads of eight Depart- voted urbanity, Lord David Everyone will have his favourite ments of State have been in Cecil, Mr Alan Pryce-Jones, Sir candidates for inclusion. But vited EO dr. But whereas Harold Nicolson, M James the choice will be the Queen's- welcome. at Pope-Henessy; these kirike, the assisted by the suggestions of dinner, civil servants, on the authente note.

her Master of the Household,

bankors

"Well, you've proved your point that you're as bright as any university student.

AT

T the beginning of this century a 10-year-old boy toured Britain in a play called "From Rags to Riches". He had the role of a street waif who wins a fortune. The critics said his perform- ance was "convincing”. Today, it would be described as prophetic.

A short time before he dingy house in the borough went on the stage, the boy Kennington. His parents actor really had been iL street waif feeding out of garbage bins, sleeping on waste land or in parks, and earning odd coppers by dancing in the streets and selling paper boats.

were music-hull arlistes who had Allen on hard times.

Five years later, he was to net before King Edward VII und Queen Alexandra. Seven- teen years inter he was to be

dollar millionaire. Twenty years inter he was to be the honoured guest of royalty and tumous statesmen wherever he went.

come

His name, Charles Spencer Chaplin now known millions as the funniest man in silent Alms.

He has become recognised as of the world's entertain-

one

than £300 in Post Office savings quile a large nest-egg at that time.

Chaplin remained with Karno for seven years. Then, during a American tour 1013, he signed a contract with Mack Sennett, who directed the Key- stone Film Company.

Almost immediately, the 24- year-old British comedian be, has endured almost every form came a star, and his earnings of unfavorable publicity. incased at a sensational rate.

Starting at 25 dollars a week, he had a rise of 100 dollars within a few months. In 1914, he was paid 150 dollars a week, und that year he made 35 films.

in 1915, his salary soared to 1,250 dollars a week; in 1916 he signed a new contract worth 670,000 dollars a year.

Chaplin's Arst three merringes ended in divorce, and his first child, a boy bom in 1910, Uved only three days.

He received thousands of

སཔ

ما

of His first film was called appro- hostile letters, as well as white

feathers, for not priately "Making a Living".

enlisting World War 1. In fact, he dis not meet the physical require

ments to become a soldier.

In 1912 his

romantic aroused severe criticism. Charg- c under the USA's Marin Act with immorality, he acquitted after А sensational

rial.

Chaplin's father spent most of the unily

earnings on drink

and eventually died of alcohol-

ISIT.

Then Mrs Chaplin

be-

rame seriously ill and Charles and his elder brother, Syd, were left penniless.

Charles was sent for a white to an orphanage for destitute children.

At the use of seven, he left to join a music-hall act, The Eight Lancashire Lads," whoso speciality Was clog- dancing and mimicry.

$15,000 For Signing

His Name

Mic

was

The following year, another Then, in 1947, despite n company offered him a million pested denials that he was dollars, plus a 15,000 dollars Communist, the question of his "signing-on" bonus, for only politles became the chief talk- eighteen months' work. He was ing-point in the United States, to make eight pletures and be Chaplin's popularity reached his

own producer. Chaplin its lowest ebb in 1047. He was Iccepted the offer.

attacked In Congress; опа The vagabond of Kennington Representative even deroanded 'Such can be But the days of misery and had become the king of Holly his deportation. hardship were soon to return. Wood, Four years before, he was the price of fame and fortune. His mother had

an obscure music-hail be taken to

Artiste; Finally, after 40 years in the the he Left hospital und Charlie, too young now, he was the world's highest United States,

country where ho had made to plan his own career, became pald film star.

Chaplin, a wall on the London streets.

who had

of received millions dollars and won of fans, This time anly two years' schooling, now millions

unwanted and

At the age of 10, Charles addressed crowds of up to there was to great send-off; he ment peniuses and has been Chaplin met good fortune for 50,000 people while making a sipped away elected by members of the film the Brst time. He managed to tour to sell Governmnet bonds spurned.

return as the best actor of Industry the first hall the 2011 century,

of

Poverty Helped Him home.

To Success

to the stage and soon during World War 1. He was In recent years, however, the became a well-known boy actor, received by President Wilson great litte man from Kenning- rich enough to have his other He Wos pursued by adoring ton has succeeded in finding Cered for in 1 convalescent fans wherever he went.

happiness, His fourth marriage In 1021, Chaplin returned in to Oona, daughter of playwright uriumph to London. The size Eugene O'Neill, has tested 14 One of his earliest parts was as a page boy in Conan Doyle's o! the crowd which welcomed years.

bin was beyond all expectailan; They have six children and "Sherlock Holmes". Ho 105 Chaplin's rags-to-riches story

the pro

the fans literally dragged him live in a £180,000 mansion in

Here, is unusual that it is one of too shy to admit to

R5 he not read. from his train and bore him en Switzerland. the few Instances of poverty's ducer that he could

approaches his Gavanties, actually helping to bring pro- His mother recited the lines to their shoulders to his car.

No less

enjoys than 73,000 letters Chaplin hìm. Charlie

a pleasant sperity. Without his early ex-

was word-perfect

were delivered to the little man climata and low taxation, and pertences 35 a ragged street in time for the first rehearsal.

during his three days in Lou can lead a normal family life- urchin, i Is doubtful that he

AL tho nge of 16, Chaplin con. He visited all his old "a citizen of the world." could ever have brought such pathos to his screen portmyals performed before the King and hunts, even met pld pediars b

Queen at the Duke

of the lovable down-and-out" with the baggy trousers and curving cane,

of York's had known a less prosperous Theatre, Londen, At 17, he be days. came a member of Frei Kamnoʻz famous muste-hall troupe.

Few inillionaires have started life in such humble and un- happy circumstances. Charles y and saved as much as pos-

Chaplin was born in London on April 18, 1889, and lived in a

In these days he Rved frugal- slblo. When he joined Kamo's

moz had already troupe, he

Tea With The Promior

Ten years later, Chapliy

raade a world tour and received an even warmer welcome. He hatt tea with the Prime Minis- ter, Ramsay MacDonald, 新霉

Chequery and lunched at the House of Commons.

During his travels he mot, among other plants of the og3, Winston Churchill, Elastein, Civorye Bernard Shaw, Albert of the Belgians, Walls and Mahatma Gandhij

When he met the Princo

King

H.G.

NO

Wales, now the Duke of Wind- ADT, they were on "Charlie" and "Eddle" terwas within

minutes.

*

few.

He was so famous that, an Japan, a group of extremista tried to assassinato him, beliov. ing that much en net would spark off the war I wanted with the United States.

But riches did not bring cam plete happiness for the price of clowns. There are many turing”. lent charters in bis life, and he

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